Effect of nicotinamide on body glucose utilization in animals

: A single administration of nicotinamide (62.5 mg/kg) was found to enhance the relative activity of exogenous insulin, to decrease glucose level in the peripheral blood, to increase the activity of malate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the liver cytosol in intact mice and to increase the rate of exogenous glucose utilization in rabbits. The character of nicotinamide effect on carbohydrate metabolism in intact animals is suggested to be dose-dependent. When administered in low doses, the drug increases tissue sensitivity to endo- and exogenous insulin.